I blinked.
I can't lie—the question caught me off guard.
I nodded dumbly. "Yeah, I go there."
I was a little shocked. At school, I was kind of a loser in the sense that no one really talked to me or even noticed I existed.
So for a guy to remember me—let alone a guy I'd never even seen before—was… weird. In a good way.
I think he noticed the surprise on my face, because his thin, pink lips twitched into a soft smirk.
"Okay, cool," he said. "I've seen you in the hallways and stuff. Just wanted to make sure it was you."
A beat of awkward silence followed.
"I'm Keith, by the way," he added, shifting slightly, clearly sensing the tension.
I realized he was probably waiting for me to say something, so I cleared my throat.
"Oh—uh, cool. I'm Imani. Nice to meet you."
I smiled softly and extended my hand for a handshake.
He stared at my hand for a second, clearly confused.
Only old people do handshakes.
But he played along anyway and shook it.
His hands were rough—calloused, a little sweaty, but warm.
"Imani," he said slowly, like he was testing the name on his tongue. Like he was committing it to memory.
"So, uh… what grade are you in?" he asked. "I'm in eleventh."
His hand was still gripping mine.
"Me too," I replied. "So, uh… since the school year just started…"
I hesitated.
"Do you think we're gonna have some classes together?"
I regretted the words the second they left my mouth.
God. I sound like a clingy fangirl.
This guy must be hella observant because the moment I cringed he ran with it.
"Nah, don't get shy on me now," he teased, "But seriously, I think we might have a class together,"
I rolled my eyes playfully, I'm enjoying the banter more than I thought.
"Oh really?" I teased back "what class then?"
He rubbed his chin, feigning deep thought.
"Hmm… prolly like.. I don't know, English?"
I scoffed but the small smile on my lips betrayed sarcasm.
The train slowed.
"Oh—" I pulled my hand back. "This is my stop."
Keith glanced at the screen above us.
Then back at me.
"…Mine too."
I frowned. "What?"
He smiled,
"We go to the same school," he said. "Remember?"
And just like that, the doors slid open.